Winds Ravage High Desert As Storm Moves Through The Area

Winds Ravage High Desert As Storm Moves Through The Area

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(Victor Valley) – If you were out and about on Saturday you probably had to dodge many tumbleweeds as they rolled down the roads, or the occasional curtain of blowing dirt that covered the roadways.

A high wind warning was in effect for the area, and wind gusts were recorded up to 61 mph at the Barstow/Daggett Airport, 47 mph in El Mirage, and 50 mph in Apple Valley, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Dirt and dust was visible in the air all across the Victor Valley. Blowing dust on Highway 18 heading into Lucerne was a problem for motorists early in the afternoon. The California Highway Patrol reported that the roof on the Yermo Inspection station blew off and may have caused a traffic accident that closed all southbound lanes on the I-15 for quite some time. There was also a big rig on its side on the 15 southbound just past the Nevada stateline, although it was not immediately clear if that was wind related.

Mark Moede meteorologist with NWS in San Diego talked about what we can expect for the next couple of days, “It should be a nicer day Sunday, with less wind and more seasonal weather. Monday another storm is coming in, more wind, not as strong though, and a better chance of rain.”

NWS is forecasting a 40-50% chance of rain for the High Desert because this storm system has a little bit more moisture, and has a better chance to get over the mountain range and into the Victor Valley.

This second storm is also fast moving, and colder than the storm that moved through Saturday. Snow levels are forecast to be as low as 5500 feet on Monday, and could bring six inches or more to the mountains above 6000 feet.

Once the storm moves out of the area Monday night, NWS is forecasting warmer weather Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure builds over the Great Basin to our east.